The Senate on Thursday approved
for second reading, a bill for the alteration of the 1999 Constitution to make
for an act for the creation of state-based and community policing across the
country.

It was sponsored by the deputy
Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu with 75 other senators at plenary.

The bill was entitled:
“Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill, 2018.”

It would be recalled that while
debating a motion sponsored by Senator Jonah Jang last week, lawmakers
described the current centralization of policing in Nigeria as a colossal
failure.

Speaking after the bill passed
first reading, Ekweremadu, who presided over the day’s plenary, said, “the
Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution has fulfilled its mandate. And now
the bill has been taken for the first time.

“I am sure that as soon as
possible we will take the Second Reading and probably send it to public hearing
through the Committee so that we fast-track it as directed by the Senate.”